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Graduate Research Innovation Exchange

The annual Graduate Research Innovation Exchange (GRIE) is a poster celebration and competition that highlights the breadth, diversity, and quality of WPI's graduate research. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Dean of Graduate Studies, it is a two-part event consisting of an Open Poster Exhibition and Celebration and Poster Finals and Awards.

Part 1: Open Poster Exhibition and Celebration - February 8, 2017

This all-day event is a festival of creativity and innovation. All graduate students engaged in research or in course- or program-related capstone projects are encouraged to develop a poster and display it here. The posters fill the upper level of the Rubin Campus Center.

True to its name, the Graduate Research Innovation Exchange is a marketplace where students across disciplines get to know each other and share discoveries and new ideas. It is also a great way to get feedback on research in-progress—input that can help students prepare for sharing their work down the line through papers and presentations.

Student presenters also receive input from attendees who are able to vote for People's Choice Awards for their favorite posters. Everyone gathers at the end of the day for an ice cream social.

- Registration has closed for the February 8th Open Poster Celebration -

Part 2: Poster Finals and Awards - April 11, 2017

After the Open Poster Exhibition, up to 60 of the posters displayed at that celebration are selected to participate in the poster finals. The best posters by master's and PhD candidates engaged in research in the categories of Arts and Sciences; Business and Social Sciences; Engineering; Life Sciences and Bioengineering; Robotics and Cyberphysical Systems; and Data Science and Cybersecurity are reviewed by a select panel of judges who decide which are worthy of cash prizes and certificates (see The Prizes below). The i3 (Investing in Ideas with Impact) idea pitching event follows the judging. Then, everyone gathers for a closing awards ceremony and reception.

The Prizes

During the final poster session (Part 2), judges may choose to present first- and second-place awards to MS candidates and PhD candidates in each division based upon a number of criteria, including the quality and importance of the research itself, the clarity of the posters, and the students' ability to explain their work and answer the judges' questions. Awardees will receive cash prizes. Capstone entries are not eligible for awards.

The Winners

In 2016, close to 190 master's and PhD candidates shared their innovative and purposeful research with the WPI community at the Graduate Research Innovation Exchange poster celebration (Part 1). It was an exciting and well-attended event that had the Rubin Campus Center Odeum buzzing with activity and engaged conversation. During the day, judges visited all of the participants, evaluating their posters and learning more about their work. The finalists competed again during the Poster Finals (Part 2) in conjunction with the finals of the i3 graduate research pitch competition. Check back to see how the 2017 Graduate Research Innovation Exchange events play out.

Guidelines & Eligibility

General Guidelines

GRIE is open to all WPI PhD candidates, MS students engaged in thesis or similar research, or MS candidates completing a course- or program-related capstone project.

Although posters may have multiple authors, including the faculty advisor(s), there should be one lead author registered and presenting. The lead author MUST be the graduate student and only this student will be considered for awards.

Only one poster will be accepted per student; it is the student’s responsibility to have his/her poster printed according to competition guidelines.

Each poster must be registered in ONLY one of the following categories and levels:

Categories: Arts and Sciences; Business and Social Science; Engineering; Life Sciences and Bioengineering; Robotics and Cyberphysical Systems; or Data Science and Cybersecurity.

Levels: MS or PhD (Capstone level projects will be accepted, but will not be considered for the final round)

At the time of registration, students are required to submit their abstracts. No registration will be accepted without submission of an abstract. Abstracts are limited to one paragraph of up to 250 words maximum and not more than 1800 characters, including spaces.

Resubmitted abstracts will NOT be accepted after the student is registered.

Students must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the event to register and set-up

Poster Printing

On-campus printing assistance is available at Design Studio (HL234) and the ATC, which offer printing services ranging in price from $16 to $28, depending on the size and choice of paper.

The ATC print deadline for February 8, 2017 Open Poster Celebration is Thursday, February 2, 2017.

Preparation support for Graduate Research Innovation Exchange and i3

The Student Training and Readiness Sessions (STARS) program developed by the Office of Graduate Studies offers sessions specifically designed to help graduate students prepare for participation in GRIE and i3. Learn more about STARS.